We Believe Patients Need Doctors

October 17, 2018•
Spectrum Cannabis

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Today is an exciting day as access to cannabis for non-medical use becomes legal for Canadians. Among the many positive aspects of cannabis legalization is how it brings the conversation into the open. We look forward to the acceptance, reduction of stigma, and opportunity for increased knowledge that legalization brings. Now that recreational cannabis is legal, it is just as important that you continue to manage your care and treatment with your healthcare professional.

With the application of the Cannabis Act, there are a number of practical changes for you to be aware of including how new taxes may impact the cost of medical cannabis.

We pay excise duty on all Spectrum Cannabis products

You will now see an excise duty sticker on the products you receive. This is a duty that the federal government charges on all sales of cannabis, whether it's for medical or recreational use. The duty will be included in the new price of cannabis products.

We are absorbing the excise duty on your behalf on all Spectrum Cannabis branded products. We will also continue to cap the price of all Spectrum Cannabis branded dried flower products at $8.50/gram before provincial and territory sales taxes.

How much is the excise duty?

The excise duty is the greater of $1/gram of dried flower products or 10% of the sale price. The prices of non-Spectrum Cannabis brands will be increased to reflect the amount of this duty. The prices of Spectrum Cannabis brand products will not be increased.

Additional provincial duty & provincial sales taxes

In addition, certain provincial and territorial governments (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nunavut) are charging additional duty. Regrettably, these additional duties will result in higher costs for medical cannabis consumers. These incremental duties will be in addition to sales taxes that must be collected on all sales. As well, it is necessary for provincial sales taxes in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec to be charged now. We will communicate more detail once it is available, and as always, we are available to answer any questions that you may have.

Spectrum Cannabis does not believe medicine should be taxed

We do not believe that adding this tax burden on medical cannabis is the right way to treat medical patients. Your cannabis is a medical necessity and should be exempt from taxes, similar to prescription medicines. We are in discussion with provinces and the federal government, to share all the reasons why medical cannabis should not be taxed.

Spectrum Cannabis has long been fighting for patients’ rights to have tax-free access to medical cannabis. In 2016 we launched an e-petition to the federal government to remove the tax from medical cannabis. This petition gathered more than 10,000 signatures and was read in Parliament. We will continue to work alongside our customers to lobby all levels of government to remove taxes from medical cannabis.

We encourage all our customers to contact your M.P.P. or MLA to remove provincial taxation and your M.P. to petition the federal government to remove the excise tax on all medical cannabis products.

Your possession limits are different than those for non-medical consumers

Recreational users cannot possess on their person more than 30 grams of dried cannabis or the equivalent in oil and/or softgels in any public place. As of Oct. 17, registered medical patients are able to possess 30 times their daily limit (up to a maximum of 150 g) plus the 30 g allowed under the Cannabis Act.

Where can you use a vapourizer?

Once the Cannabis Act comes into effect on October 17, each province, territory, and many municipalities will have their own regulations about the use of cannabis that might affect where medical cannabis can be consumed. These laws are evolving at such a rapid pace that it is best to consult your local or provincial government for current laws.

In the event of a conflict between federal, provincial, and municipal laws, you must adhere to the most restrictive.

Contact our dedicated medical customer support for more info

The Spectrum Cannabis Customer Care team is dedicated to our medical cannabis customers and is available to you 6 am to 10 pm EST every day. This includes access to expert advice and links to experienced medical cannabis educators.

If you have any questions or concerns about how the legalization of recreational cannabis will affect you and access to your medicine, please contact us anytime.